The Calvià Town Council and over 272 bars and restaurants are participating in the seventh edition of the Green Flag Movement by Ecovidrio, which aims to reduce waste during the high season.
The municipality of Calvià has joined the seventh edition of the Green Flag Movement, an initiative by Ecovidrio that recognises the commitment of the hospitality sector to glass recycling. More than 272 establishments in the municipality will participate this summer in the campaign, which aims to promote the circular economy in coastal areas.
In Calvià, more than 3,600 tonnes of waste are generated annually, of which approximately one third is concentrated in the summer months. The Deputy Mayor, Esperanza Català, thanked the involvement of citizens and the hospitality sector in recycling.
Competition for the green flag in the Balearics
Calvià is competing alongside 20 other municipalities in the Balearics for one of the two Green Flags for Sustainability that Ecovidrio will award this year in the archipelago. In the last edition, the winners were Capdepera and Formentera.
Additionally, Ecovidrio will reward two hospitality establishments in the Balearics for their good environmental practices, evaluating aspects such as recycling management, water and energy consumption, or commitment to sustainable purchasing. In the previous edition, the distinguished establishment was Can Mimosa in Ibiza.
The coordinator of Ecovidrio in the Balearics, Iván Tolsa, highlighted the commitment of the municipalities and the HORECA sector to tackle the increase in waste recorded in tourist areas during the summer and to promote a more sustainable development model.
More containers and training for hospitality businesses
To facilitate recycling, Ecovidrio will install 200 new containers and distribute nearly 1,300 wheeled bins among participating establishments. Additionally, around 100 environmental educators will visit bars, restaurants, and beach bars to provide training on recycling and the circular economy.
The aspiring municipalities must increase the selective collection of glass containers compared to the previous year, achieve participation from at least 50% of hospitality establishments, and promote the campaign among residents and visitors. The winning municipalities will also be the site of a specific environmental awareness campaign.
As part of the initiative, Ecovidrio will once again recognise the coastal establishments most committed to sustainability. The winners will participate in a master class and tasting led by chef Andrés Torres, who has been awarded a Michelin star, a Michelin Green Star, a Repsol Sun, and the Basque Culinary World Prize 2024.
According to data provided by Ecovidrio, thanks to the collaboration of municipalities and hospitality businesses, more than 15,800 tonnes of glass containers have been collected in the Balearics, which has prevented the emission of over 9,100 tonnes of CO₂, saved 11,200 MWh of energy, and avoided the extraction of more than 18,900 tonnes of raw materials.
The residents of Calvià will notice the campaign through the new containers and the increased awareness among the bars and restaurants in their area. The initiative kicks off this June and will run until September, coinciding with the high tourist season.
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